Chateh lifts evacuation order as wildfires let up from wet weather

Chateh residents can breathe a sigh of relief as a wildfire evacuation order is lifted thanks to wet and cooler conditions.

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Alberta Wildfire said Dene Tha’ First Nation lifted its evacuation order on Tuesday, allowing members to return to the community of Chateh. Residents are advised to remain prepared to evacuate again if conditions worsen.

The community was put under an evacuation order on May 29.

On Monday, Swan Hills lifted its evacuation alert for the community as a nearby wildfire in the Slave Lake forest area is now “being held.”

Lac La Biche lifted its evacuation alert for southern Winefred Lake and Grist Lake.

Other communities still under evacuation orders

Several communities remain under evacuation orders as wildfires continue to burn in other parts of the province.

Saddle Hills County’s evacuation order now includes everyone located between Township Road 794 and Highway 680 (Township Road 802), and Range Road 95 and Highway 725, as well as the Crown Land north of Township Road 800 and south of the Blueberry Mountain Grazing Reserve. The surrounding areas are still under evacuation alert.

The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council’s evacuation orders for Loon Lake 235, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake remain in effect.

Evacuation orders for Red Earth Creek and Chipewyan Lake are also still in place.

Highway 686 between Red Earth Creek and Trout Lake is currently closed due to a nearby wildfire.

The County of Grande Prairie lifted its evacuation order, allowing all residents to return home. An evacuation alert remains in place for everyone north of Township Road 710 to 740, east of the provincial border with British Columbia to Range Road 132.

Highway 671/Kelly Lake Road at the Alberta-B.C. border to Range Road 130, southwest of Hythe, is now open

Those under an evacuation alert are to be prepared to leave within 30 minutes notice and should have three days worth supplies including food and water.

Residents of Marten Beach and those in the Hawk Hills area should also be prepared to evacuate.

Current wildfire situation

There are currently 58 active wildfires burning in the province, 22 of them are classified as out-of-control. Nine are being held and 26 are under control.

Alberta Wildfire said nine new fires have started in the last 24 hours.

More than 1,500 firefighters from Alberta, Yukon, B.C., Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Australia, Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii and the United States Forest Service are working on containing and extinguishing wildfires throughout the province.

Fire bans

A fire ban is still in effect for the High Level forest area, as well as parts of the Fort McMurray and Calgary forest areas.

The County of Grande Prairie downgraded its fire ban to a fire restriction.

Permitted burning is restricted to approved recreational fire pits, approved burn barrels and propane-fired appliances like barbecues and smokers.

Under a fire ban, all outdoor wood fires, barbecue charcoal briquettes, fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited.

Information on fire bans can be found here.